THOOTHUKUDI: Anti-nuke protestors including Bishop Yvon Ambrose who are spearheading the protests against the commissioning of the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) on Wednesday reiterated that there was no let up in their stand on the issue.Strongly denying reports in a section of the media that the protestors had toned down their approach and that the Catholic diocese had withdrawn from the campaign, People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) coordinator S P Udayakumar said no one in their group had made any such statement.Referring to a report in an English daily which claimed that the agitators had agreed to permit work at the KKNPP site “provided Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa gave her approval,” he said that the PMANE representative M Pushparayan was misquoted on the this. “Pushparayan has categorically denied having made such a statement,” Udayakumar said.Separately, Bishop Ambroise issued a statement declaring, “As per the Catholic church’s teaching and Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council’s resolution, I continue to show my solidarity with my people who are under great fear and anxiety concerning the nuclear plant.” Deriding media reports to the contrary, he said “I strongly deny the false reports and stand united with the people morally and spiritually.”According to him, he had expressed his inability to be present in the State Experts Committee, as he was never asked for consent by anybody from the State or by the district collector.The Bishop said that the official unit of the anti-nuclear struggle committee had proposed two persons as people’s representatives to be nominated in the State Committee and he was not given any clarification as to why his name was included in the list. He charged that a section of the media was publishing false reports and confusing people.The PMANE coordinator Udayakumar also made it clear that “We and our struggle continue to enjoy the support and solidarity of the Bishop and the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council.”In a press release, he alleged that the “Tirunelveli Congress MP Ramasubbu is leading a small group of detractors against the PMANE and creating confusion. This is unacceptable as he also represents the people who oppose the KKNPP project. Given that situation, he should resign.”Meanwhile, the relay fast at Idinthakari against the Koodankulam plant entered the 23rd day on Wednesday. People from Subramaniapuram in Thoothukudi district, Radhapuram, Naduvakurichi and other areas are on a relay fast at the coastal village near Koodankulam.A group of fishermen protesting the implementation of the KKNPP observed a token fast on Wednesday at Pamban.
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